Texas Representative Introduces Bill to Safeguard Second Amendment Rights as Vice President Harris Supports Assault Weapons Ban
In a recent development surrounding gun control measures, Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her support for the Second Amendment while advocating for a ban on assault weapons during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show. Simultaneously, Texas Representative Michael Cloud reintroduced a bill aimed at ensuring the protection of gun rights.
During her appearance, Vice President Harris voiced her commitment to upholding the Second Amendment while emphasizing the need for a ban on assault weapons. Her stance received mixed reactions from various quarters.
In response to concerns raised by some Democrat politicians declaring public health emergencies due to gun violence, Rep. Cloud proposed the Protecting the Right To Keep and Bear Arms Act. This bill seeks to prevent the president and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from utilizing public health emergencies as a means to enforce gun control measures. Additionally, it aims to prohibit government officials from restricting the production, sale, or transfer of firearms and ammunition during major disasters or emergencies.
Rep. Cloud condemned the use of executive authority to deprive Americans of their Second Amendment rights and believes that his bill will serve as a check against any infringement on these rights. The move comes in the wake of efforts by the Biden administration and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico to enact gun control regulations under the guise of public health emergencies.
Governor Grisham had attempted to enforce a 30-day prohibition on carrying firearms in public areas or on state-owned properties in Albuquerque, citing gun violence as a public health crisis. However, a judge intervened and blocked the ban, leading the governor to amend the rule and restrict firearms only at public parks or playgrounds where there is a perceived higher risk to children and families.
In response to New Mexico’s governor and other public officials allegedly misusing emergency powers to infringe on constitutional rights, Aidan Johnston, director of federal affairs for Gun Owners of America, highlighted the need for lawmakers to prevent any potential overreach on the part of the Biden administration. Johnston drew attention to similar instances that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, urging urgent action to safeguard against any potential national-level infringements.
The Protecting the Right To Keep and Bear Arms Act has garnered support from Rep. Pete Sessions and Rep. Mary Miller, who also criticized Governor Grisham’s move to ban open firearms.
The debate surrounding gun control and the preservation of Second Amendment rights continues to be contentious. While Vice President Harris supports an assault weapons ban within the framework of the Second Amendment, Rep. Cloud’s proposed bill aims to protect gun rights and curb what some politicians view as executive overreach.
As discussions on gun control and constitutional rights unfold, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will navigate these complex issues and reach a resolution that strikes a balance between public safety and individual freedoms.
